SPECULATE Synonyms: 34 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'speculate' different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of speculate are cogitate , deliberate , reason , reflect , and think . While all these words mean "to use one's powers of conception, judgment, or inference," speculate implies reasoning about things theoretical or problematic. // speculated on the fate of the lost explorers

Q: When can 'cogitate' be used instead of 'speculate'?

In some situations, the words cogitate and speculate are roughly equivalent. However, cogitate implies deep or intent thinking. // cogitated on the mysteries of nature

Q: When would 'deliberate' be a good substitute for 'speculate'?

The synonyms deliberate and speculate are sometimes interchangeable, but deliberate suggests slow or careful reasoning before forming an opinion or reaching a conclusion or decision. // the jury deliberated for five hours

Q: Where would 'reason' be a reasonable alternative to 'speculate'?

Although the words reason and speculate have much in common, reason stresses consecutive logical thinking. // able to reason brilliantly in debate

Q: When might 'reflect' be a better fit than 'speculate'?

While the synonyms reflect and speculate are close in meaning, reflect suggests unhurried consideration of something recalled to the mind. // reflecting on fifty years of married life

Q: In what contexts can 'think' take the place of 'speculate'?

The meanings of think and speculate largely overlap; however, think is general and may apply to any mental activity, but used alone often suggests attainment of clear ideas or conclusions. // teaches students how to think

speculate

verb

ˈspe-kyə-ˌlāt

Definition of speculate next

as in to guess

to form an opinion from little or no evidence I speculate that someone has been using this cabin as a trysting place

Synonyms & Similar Words

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How is the word speculate different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of speculate are cogitate, deliberate, reason, reflect, and think. While all these words mean "to use one's powers of conception, judgment, or inference," speculate implies reasoning about things theoretical or problematic.

speculated on the fate of the lost explorers

When can cogitate be used instead of speculate?

In some situations, the words cogitate and speculate are roughly equivalent. However, cogitate implies deep or intent thinking.

cogitated on the mysteries of nature

When would deliberate be a good substitute for speculate?

The synonyms deliberate and speculate are sometimes interchangeable, but deliberate suggests slow or careful reasoning before forming an opinion or reaching a conclusion or decision.

the jury deliberated for five hours

Where would reason be a reasonable alternative to speculate?

Although the words reason and speculate have much in common, reason stresses consecutive logical thinking.

able to reason brilliantly in debate

When might reflect be a better fit than speculate?

While the synonyms reflect and speculate are close in meaning, reflect suggests unhurried consideration of something recalled to the mind.

reflecting on fifty years of married life

In what contexts can think take the place of speculate?

The meanings of think and speculate largely overlap; however, think is general and may apply to any mental activity, but used alone often suggests attainment of clear ideas or conclusions.

teaches students how to think

Examples Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of speculate Some members of Congress have speculated that a foreign entity may be involved in the drones, something the Pentagon rebuffed Wednesday. —

Elizabeth Wolfe, CNN, 12 Dec. 2024 Besson is also writing the script for the upcoming film, which Variety speculated would be in the same wheelhouse as The Fifth Element, mixing sci-fi with comedy and action. —

Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 12 Dec. 2024 Some football fans previously speculated Hunter was joining Adidas after he was seen wearing three-stripe clothing in recent Twitch streams and other public appearances. —

Eric Jackson, Sportico.com, 12 Dec. 2024 That’s a pretty long time, which has led people to speculate the two have broken up. —

Lissete Lanuza Sáenz, StyleCaster, 11 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for speculate

Recent Examples of Synonyms for speculate

Verb

Fans had been wrongly guessing the singer would announce the rerecording of the album all year. Don't miss any Taylor Swift news; sign up for the free, weekly newsletter This Swift Beat.

Bryan West, USA TODAY, 7 Dec. 2024
Players get six attempts to guess a five-letter word.

Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 7 Dec. 2024